Container Sidewall and Roof Connector

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a connector between sidewalls, or the top rails of the sidewalls, and roof panels. The connector includes a downwardly oriented pocket adapted to receive a portion of the sidewall and an inwardly oriented pocket adapted to receive a portion of a roof panel. The connector also includes a base flange that is comparatively sized to, and adapted to be supported by, a roof bow support ledge of the sidewall. The inwardly oriented pocket is located directly above, and offset from, the base flange of the connector. Connectors, such as adhesives or rivets, may be utilized to secure the connector to the sidewall and to secure the connector to the roof panel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a connector between a containersidewall and a container roof. The present invention may be employed inany container structure and is particularly suited for use in anover-the-road trailer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1, from U.S. Pat. No. 8,177,289 by Haire, illustrates an example ofa container sidewall/roof connection employing a traditional connectionbetween a roof and sidewalls. In the illustrated example, a top rail 100and roof 105 are of similar materials. Sidewalls and rooves forover-the-road trailers are commonly made from aluminum due to itsstrength, light weight, and corrosion resistance. By using materials ofsimilar strengths and characteristics (expansion, electrode potentials,etc.) for the roof and sidewalls, the two structures may be joinedsimply by fastening the two structures directly together throughadhesives and/or rivets. In the Haire reference, a rivet 110 and a“J”-shaped piece of metal 115 hold the roof 105 in place against the toplip 120 of the top rail 100.

FIG. 2, also from U.S. Pat. No. 8,177,289 by Haire, shows anotherexample of a traditional roof sidewall connection. The connection shownin FIG. 2 includes a top rail 100 secured to a roof 105 via a rivet 110and J-channel 115 (or J-shaped piece of metal). The example shown inFIG. 2 also includes a roof bow support ledge 125 adapted to receivesupport members, such as roof bow supports that are used to support theroof 105.

Additional examples of traditional connections between container roofsand sidewalls may be found in FIGS. 2 and 3 of U.S. Pat. No. 3,192,377and FIG. 2 of U.S. Pat. No. 3,196,267, both by Abolins.

Although the Haire and Abolins connections are acceptable when similarmaterials are used for both the top rail/sidewall and the roof, whendissimilar materials are used for the roof and sidewall of a container,there exists a need for a specialized connection between the roof andsidewall of the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention,some of the issues associated with sidewalls and container roofs ofdifferent construction materials are overcome. A connector of compositeroofs and sidewalls is presented.

The improved container includes a sidewall having a vertically orientedpanel extending from about the bottom of the container to about the topof the container. At about the top of the sidewall, a horizontal panelextends inward towards the storage area of the container. A verticalsection extends upward from the innermost portion of the horizontalpanel, and a first flange extends further inward from the middle portionof the vertical section. At the top of the vertical section, a secondflange extends outwardly parallel to the first flange. The horizontalpanel, vertical section, and second flange generally form a U-shape.

The composite connector has a central wall that generally abuts thevertical section of the top rail. At the bottom-most portion of thevertical section of the composite connector, a bottom flange extendsinwardly that abuts a first flange of the top rail. A center flangeextends inwardly from the central wall of the composite connector,wherein the center flange extends parallel to the first flange and isspaced a distance from the first flange. Above the second flange is anarea of the central wall adapted to receive a composite roof panel. Atthe top of the central wall of the composite connector, a top plateextends perpendicular to the vertical section. The innermost portion topplate, the center flange, and an upper portion of the central wallsection form a C-shape that is adapted to receive a composite roofpanel. At the outermost section of the top plate is a downward flangethat is adjacent to the outermost portion of the second flange of thesidewall. The downward flange of the top plate generally acts to preventinward movement of the composite connector relative to the sidewall.

In one embodiment, the composite roof panel includes a top sheet thathas an outermost portion adjacent to the innermost portion of thehorizontal portion of the composite connector. The composite roof panelalso has a bottom sheet with an outermost portion abutting the secondflange of the vertical section of the composite connector. The top andbottom sheets are preferably aluminum or steel, although other metalsmay also be used to create the composite panels. Although compositepanels are preferable due to their high strength-to-weight ratio, solidpanels may also be used and would be within the scope of the presentinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows FIG. 1C from U.S. Pat. No. 8,177,289 by Haire et al. thatalleges to depict a cross-sectional view of “a conventional top railassembly for a container body.”

FIG. 2 shows FIG. 5D from U.S. Pat. No. 8,177,289 by Haire et al. thatalleges to disclose a “cross-sectional view of exemplary top railembodiments comprising exemplary support blocks.”

FIG. 3 shows a composite roof secured to a top rail via a connector.

FIG. 4 shows a magnified view of the top rail-roof connecter of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows an isolated view of the connector of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 shows a scale drawing of a second embodiment of a sidewall-roofconnector.

FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of a sidewall-roof connector with anextended flange.

FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of a sidewall-roof connector with anoffset platform and rivet.

FIG. 9 shows a fifth embodiment of a sidewall-roof connector with anintegrally formed sidewall locking end.

FIG. 10 shows a sixth embodiment of a sidewall-roof connector with anintegrally formed sidewall locking end, a displaced roof panel support,a roof locking dimple, and a C-clamp.

FIG. 11 shows a seventh embodiment of a sidewall-roof connector with adisplaced base.

FIG. 12 shows an eighth embodiment of a sidewall-roof connector withadhesives between the connector and the composite roof panel.

FIG. 13 shows a ninth embodiment of a sidewall-roof connector withadhesives between the connector and the roof panel, adhesives betweenthe sidewall and connector, and a sealant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention may be used in association with any containerstructure having a sidewall and a roof. However, for the purposes ofthis application, the invention will be primarily described inassociation with an over-the-road trailer.

FIG. 3 shows a top rail 130 of a container having a lowermost portion135 with a smooth inner side 140 adapted to be secured adjacent to aside panel of a sidewall. The lowermost portion 135 includes an exteriorside 145 having a plurality of scuff guards 150 adapted to protect thetop rail 130. In the illustrated example, the scuff guards 150 are shownas round; however, other shapes may also be used. Above the lowermostportion 135, the top rail includes a horizontal top 155 with a flatinner side 160 adapted to be located above and adjacent to the sidepanels of the container. Extending up from the horizontal top 155 of thetop rail 130 is a vertically oriented portion 165 that generally extendsparallel to the lowermost portion 135 of the top rail. While thevertically oriented portion 165 generally extends upward parallel to thelower most portion 135, in the illustrated example, the verticallyoriented portion 165 has a slight outward slant as shown by the verticalgeometric line 170. By having a slight inward slant, the verticallyoriented portion imparts a slight slant onto the roof of the container,which assists the container in shedding water. At the mid-section of thevertically oriented portion 165, an inner flange 175 (or lower flange)extends inwardly at a generally horizontal orientation. In theillustrated example, the inner flange 175 does not extend perfectlyhorizontal and is angled slightly upward as it extends inward. The slantof the inner flange 175 is illustrated by its orientation relative to ahorizontal geometric line 180. In the illustrated example, the slant isbetween two and three degrees above horizontal. At the top of thevertically oriented portion 165, an outer flange 185 (or top flange)extends outward parallel to the inner flange 175 (i.e., generallyhorizontal) to an area that is inward of the outermost part 190 of thehorizontal top 155.

In the illustrated example, the first direction 101 is referred to asthe upward direction, the second direction 102 is referred to as theinward direction, the third direction 103 is referred to as the downwarddirection, and the fourth direction 104 is referred to as the outwarddirection. These directions generally refer to the orientation of astructure relative to the center of a cargo container. The terms“downward” or “below” are herein defined to refer to the generaldirection toward the far end of the sidewall from the sidewall-roofconnector. In the instance of a container with vertical sidewalls and aroof located above the sidewalls relative to the earth (i.e., standardorientation), the terms “downward” and “below” will have the samemeaning as their plain and ordinary meanings. However, if the containertips over (or is upside down) so that the roof is not above the sidewallfrom a global perspective, the sidewall is still downward from thesidewall-roof connector as used herein.

The terms “upward” and “above” refer to the opposite direction as“downward” and “below.” The term “vertically oriented” refers to theorientation of something extending “upward” or “downward.” The term“inward” is defined refer to the general direction toward the far end ofthe roof panel from the sidewall-roof connector, and “outward” isdefined to be the opposite direction as “inward.” The term “horizontallyoriented” refers to the orientation of something extending “inwardly” or“outwardly.”

The roof panel 195 shown in FIG. 3 is a composite comprised of an innercore material 200 and outer skins 205 covering the inner core material200. In one embodiment, the roof panels are made of a core plasticmaterial and an outer skin of aluminum or steel. In an alternativeembodiment, the inner core material is a foam, lattice material, a woodmaterial, or a composite of multiple materials. The outer skins may beconstructed of aluminum or steel, or they may be constructed of otherresilient materials such as carbon fiber.

As highlighted in FIGS. 3 and 4, the sidewall-roof connector 210 shownin FIG. 3 has a flat top 215 that extends from slightly inward of theoutermost part 190 of the horizontal top 155 to the roof panel 195. Adownward protrusion 220 extends at the outermost portion of the flat top215. The length of the downward protrusion in the illustrated embodimentis approximately that of the thickness of the outer flange 185 of thetop rail 130. The downward protrusion 220 acts to at least partiallysecure the sidewall-roof connector 210 to the top rail 130 by preventinginward movement of the sidewall-roof connector 210 relative to the toprail 130. Extending downward from the flat top 215 (or top panel) is acentral portion 225 (or central wall) that extends down to the innerflange 175 of the top rail 130. The central portion 225 extendsperpendicularly from the flat top 215 and is spaced apart from thedownward protrusion 220 by a distance that is slightly larger than thelength of the outer flange 185 of the top rail 130.

The downward protrusion 220, the outward portion 231 of the flat top215, and the central portion 225 form a downwardly opening pocketadapted to receive the outer flange 185 of the top rail. The spacing ofthe central portion 225 from the downward protrusion 220 is such thatthe outer flange 185 may easily be placed between the central portion225 and the downward protrusion 220 while limiting inward and outwardmovement of the sidewall-roof connector 210 relative to the top rail130. In one embodiment, the separation of the downward protrusion 220and the central portion 225 is just 1/20^(th) of an inch more than thewidth of the outer flange 185 of the top rail 130.

The flat top 215 of the sidewall-roof connector 210 includes an inwardportion 230 that is located adjacent to a portion of the upper outerskin 205 of the roof panel 195. Extending inward from the centralportion 225 is a central flange 235 that is located adjacent to aportion of the lower outer skin 205 of the roof panel 195. The inwardportion 230 and the central flange 235 inwardly extend parallel to eachother and are separated from each other by approximately the width ofthe roof panel 195. The inward portion 230, the central flange 235, andan upper part of the central portion 225 together form an inwardlyopening pocket that is dimensioned to receive and hold an end of theroof panel 195. In the illustrated example, the length of the centralflange 235 is less than the length of the inward portion 230, but otherembodiments of the invention may include central flanges that have anequal, or greater, length than the inward portion 230.

At the bottom of the central portion 225, a base flange 240 inwardlyextends parallel and adjacent to the inner flange 175 of the top rail130. In the illustrated example, the length of the base flange 240 isapproximately equal to the length of the inner flange 175. The baseflange 240 extends from the central portion 225 parallel to both thecentral flange 235 and the inward portion 230 of the top plate 215.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sidewall-roof connector is constructedfrom aluminum, but the connector may also be made from other materialssuch as fiber glass, carbon fiber, or stainless steel, or the connectormay have a composite construction like the roof panel. In theillustrated examples, the sidewall-roof connector is shown as a singlestructure with a unitary construction. However, in alternate embodimentsof the invention, the sidewall-connector may be constructed frommultiple pieces. For example, in one embodiment, the flat top andcentral portion (or central wall) of the connector are separable piecesthat are held together via fasteners. In yet another embodiment of theinvention, the central flange is separable from the central portion andis secured via fasteners. The central portion includes apertures at aplurality of elevations for receiving the fasteners such that the pocket(formed by the central flange, inward portion, and upper part of thecentral portion) may be adjusted to receive roof panels of a pluralityof thicknesses.

FIG. 5 shows the sidewall-roof connector 210 in isolation. The inwardportion 230 of the flat top 215, the upper part of the central portion225, and the central flange 235 form a groove 245 (or inwardly openingpocket) adapted to receive a roof panel. At the upper corner 250 andlower corner 255 of the groove 245, the sidewall-roof connector 210 hasexterior surfaces with convex portions directly adjacent to concaveportions such that the upper corner 250 and lower corner 255 areslightly deeper than other parts of the groove 245. The concave/convexportions form nooks in the corners. In an exemplary embodiment of theinvention, the upper and lower corners (250, 255) are dimensioned toreceive the outer skins of a roof panel.

The ends 260 of the downward protrusion 220, inward portion 230, centralflange 235, and base flange 260 are shown in FIG. 5 as having a roundedcurvature. However, other embodiments of the invention may use squareends, hexagonal ends, or other shapes. For example, in one embodiment,the end 260 of the inward portion 230 tapers downward such that there isa smooth transition from the upper outer skin 205 to the inward portion230. Similarly, the corners 265 are shown as rounded corners in theillustrated example. Other embodiments of the invention may usenon-rounded corners such as square corners or angled corners.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the sidewall-roof connector 210 that isdrawn to scale. In the illustrated example, the downward protrusion 220has a width 270 of between 0.05-0.10 inches and a height 275 in therange of 0.30-0.35 inches. The flat top 215 has a length 280 in therange of 2.4-2.6 inches and a thickness 285 in the range of 0.10-0.13inches. The inward portion 230 of the flat top 215 has a length 290 inthe range of 1.0-1.1 inches while the outward portion 231 of the flattop 215 has a length 295 in the range of 1.2-1.3 inches. The flat top215 and the central flange 235 are separated by a distance 300 in therange of 0.60-0.65 inches while the central flange 235 has a length 305in the range of 0.40-0.45 inches. Like the flat top 215, the centralflange 235 has a thickness 310 in the range of 0.10-0.13 inches. Thebase flange 240 has a length 315 in the range of 1.35-1.40 inches and athickness 320 in the range of 0.10-0.14 inches. The base flange 240 isseparated from the central flange 235 by a distance (not highlighted) inthe range of 0.10-0.20 inches. The central portion 225 of thesidewall-roof connector 210 has a thickness 325 in the range of0.10-0.14 inches and a height (not shown) in the range of 1.0-1.1inches. The sidewall-roof connector 210 has an overall height 330 in therange of 1.10-1.14 inches.

In the illustrated example, the length 315 of the base flange 240 ismore than the length 295 of the outward portion 231, which is more thanthe length 290 of the inward portion 230 that is approximately equal tothe height of the central portion 225. In the exemplary embodiment shownin FIG. 6, the length 290 of the inward portion of the top plate 215 isat least twice the length 305 length of the central flange 235. In analternate embodiment (e.g., FIG. 7), the length of the inward portion ofthe top plate is approximately equal to the length of the centralflange. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, an inwardly opening pocket311 is formed from the central flange 235, the central portion 225, andthe inward portion 230. The inwardly opening pocket 311 has a depthdefined by the length 305 of a central flange and a width defined by thedistance 300 of the central flange 235 from the inward portion 230. Adownwardly opening pocket 312 is formed from the downward protrusion220, the outward portion 231, and the central portion 225. Thedownwardly opening pocket has a depth equal to the length 275 of thedownward protrusion minus the thickness 285 of the flat top 215, and awidth equal to the length 295 of the outward portion 231. In theillustrated example of FIG. 6, the downwardly opening pocket 312 has awidth that is at least twice the width of the inwardly opening pocket311, and the inwardly opening pocket 311 has a depth that is at leasttwice that of the downwardly opening pocket 312.

The dimensions disclosed in relation to FIG. 6 are that of an exemplaryembodiment and other embodiments of the invention may have differentdimensions. For example, in one embodiment, the dimensions of thesidewall-roof connector are 20% larger than those disclosed in relationto FIG. 6; in another embodiment, the dimensions are 50% smaller thandisclosed in FIG. 6; and in yet another embodiment, the dimensions ofthe sidewall-roof connector are three times larger than those disclosedin relation to FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the invention with an elongated centralflange 335 that has a length approximately equal to the length of theinward portion 230. The elongated central flange 335 provides a deeppocket or groove into which the roof panel 195 is inserted.

FIG. 8 shows an alternate embodiment of the invention where the centralflange does not extend directly from the central portion of thesidewall-roof connector and is instead formed at the end of the baseflange 240. The offset flange 340 may provide improved support for theroof panel 195 by moving the support away from the end central portion225 of the sidewall-roof connector. Additionally, the use of an offsetflange 340 may simplify container construction by not requiring the roofpanel 195 and sidewall-roof connector to be as precisely aligned as someof the other embodiments when the roof panel is inserted in theconnector. The space between the offset flange 340 and the centralportion 225 may allow insertion of roof panels while they are slightlyangled downward. FIG. 8 also shows an example of a rivet 345 securingthe sidewall-roof connector to the top rail by passing through the baseflange 240 and the inner flange 175 of the top rail. In the illustratedexample, the rivet 345 ends below the roof panel 195, but in alternateembodiments of the invention, the rivet also extends through the roofpanel 195 and the inward portion 230. In yet another embodiment of theinvention, a rivet extends through the outer flange 185 of the top railand the outward portion 231 of the connector to secure the sidewall-roofconnector to the top rail. Alternatively, rivets may be passedhorizontally through the central portion 225 of the sidewall-roofconnector and the vertically oriented portion 165 of the top rail.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a sidewall-roof connector that has ahooked downward protrusion 350 that wraps, at least in part, around theend of the outer flange 185. By hooking around the outer flange, thedownward protrusion is able to not only limit inward/outward movement ofthe connector relative to the top rail, but also limit upward movementas well. Through the inclusion of an integrally formed hooked downwardprotrusion, the number of components needed to secure the sidewall-roofconnector to the top rail may be reduced.

FIG. 10 shows a second embodiment 355 of a hooked downward protrusionthat at least partially wraps around the outer flange 185 of the toprail. In the illustrated example, the central flange of thesidewall-roof connector has been replaced with a pedestal support 360that extends upward from the base flange 240. The pedestal support 240defines a first pocket 365 that may be adapted to receive part of arivet and a second pocket 370 that may be configured to receive a roofbow for the container. In the illustrated example, a clamp 375 iswrapped around the ends of the base flange 240 and the inner flange 175to further secure the sidewall-roof connector to the top rail. Throughthe combination of the hooked downward protrusion 355 and the clamp 375,the sidewall-roof connector may be generally locked onto the top rail.The embodiment shown in FIG. 10 also includes a locking dimple 380extending downward from the inward portion 230. The locking dimple 380presses against the upper outer skin 205 of the roof panel and acts tolimit inward/outward movement of the roof panel 195 relative to thesidewall-roof connector 210. While only one locking dimple is shown inthe example of FIG. 10, other embodiments may utilize multiple dimples,or upward extending dimples located on the pedestal support 360. In yetanother embodiment of the invention, instead of dimples, a series ofoutward slanting teeth (like the teeth of a ratchet mechanism) extendfrom the central flange and inward portion, and together act to preventthe roof panel from moving inwardly relative to the sidewall-roofconnector.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a sidewall-roof connector with a displacedsupport 385 for the central flange 235 and a divided base flange 390.The displaced support 385 provides additional support to the centralflange 235 and improves its resiliency to downward forces upon thecentral flange 235.

FIG. 12 shows a closeup view of a sidewall-roof connector 210 with anexaggerated distance between the outer skins 205 of the roof panel 195and the inward portion 230 and the central flange 235. Between the skins205 and the inward portion 230/central flange 235 are bonding materials395 that act to secure the panel to the connector and seal theconnection between the panel and the connector. In one embodiment, thebonding materials 395 are double-sided adhesive tape, and in anotherembodiment the bonding materials 395 are caulk. In one embodiment, thebonding materials used between the upper outer skin 205 and the inwardportion 230 are the same as the bonding material used between thecentral flange 235 and the lower outer skin 205. In another embodiment,those two bonding materials are different (e.g., one is a siliconecaulk, and the other is an epoxy resin).

FIG. 13 shows an alternative embodiment with bonding materials 395between the roof panel 195 and sidewall-roof connector 210 andadditional sealant 400 between the end 260 of the inward portion 230 andthe upper outer skin 205. The sealant 400 acts as an additional barrierto prevent liquid intrusion into the container. Additionally, thesealant 400 has a continuous outer contour 405 that prevents objectsfrom snagging on the end of the inward portion 230. Between the baseflange 240 and the inner flange 175, bonding materials 395 such as thosepreviously described may be used to further secure the sidewall-roofconnector 210 to the top rail 130.

It should be understood that the structures, processes, methods, andsystems described herein are not related or limited to any particulartype components unless indicated otherwise. The specific features of theexemplary embodiments may be incorporated into other embodiments. Forexample, the locking dimples shown in FIG. 10, or the hooking downwardprotrusion shown in FIG. 9, may be incorporated into any of theembodiments described herein. Various combinations of general purposespecialized or equivalent components may be used with—or performoperations in accordance with—the teachings described herein. In view ofthe wide variety of embodiments to which the principles of the presentinvention can be applied, the illustrated embodiments are exemplary onlyand should not be taken as limiting the scope of the present invention.For example, more, fewer, or equivalent elements may be used in theembodiments.

I claim:
 1. A connector for joining a sidewall to a roof panel, theconnector comprising: a central wall perpendicularly intersecting with atop panel; the top panel having an inner portion located inward of thecentral wall, an outer portion located outward of the central wall, anda downward flange extending from the outer portion of the top panel; abottom flange inwardly extending parallel to the top panel from thecentral wall below the outer portion of the top panel; a central panelextending parallel to both the inner portion of the top panel and thebottom flange, the central panel located directly between the innerportion of the top panel and the bottom flange; wherein the downwardflange, outer portion of the top panel, and the central wall form adownwardly opening pocket adapted to receive a portion of the sidewall;and the central panel, the central wall, and the inner portion of thetop panel form an inwardly opening pocket adapted to receive a portionof the roof panel.
 2. The connector of claim 1 wherein The central panelextends directly from the central wall.
 3. The connector of claim 1wherein the inwardly opening pocket includes a first corner at theintersection of the central wall and the inner portion of the top panel;the first corner has a concave surface directly adjacent to a convexsurface; and the first corner is adapted to receive an outer skin of theroof panel.
 4. The connector of claim 1 wherein the base bottom flangeinwardly extends a first distance from the central wall; the outerportion of the top panel outwardly extends a second distance from thecentral wall; the inner portion of the top panel inwardly extends athird distance from the central wall; the third distance is less thanthe second distance; and the second distance is less than the firstdistance.
 5. The connector of claim 1 wherein the downwardly openingpocket has a first depth and a first width; the inwardly opening pockethas a second depth and a second width; the second depth is at leasttwice the first depth; and the first width is at least twice the secondwidth.
 6. The connector of claim 1 wherein the central panel inwardlyextends a first distance from the central wall; the inner portion of thetop panel inwardly extends a second distance from the central wall; andthe second distance is at least twice the first distance.
 7. Theconnector of claim 1 wherein the bottom flange, the central wall, andthe central flange form a third pocket that opens inwardly below theinwardly opening pocket; and the third pocket is adapted to receive aroof bow to support the roof panel.
 8. The connector of claim 1 furthercomprising a bonding agent secured to a bottom side of the inner portionof the top panel for securing the roof panel within the inwardly openingpocket.
 9. A sidewall-roof construction of a container comprising: aroof panel; a sidewall having a vertically oriented portion, a topflange outwardly extending from the top of the vertically orientedportion, a lower flange inwardly extending from the vertically orientedportion, and the lower flange located below the top flange; a connectorhaving a central wall perpendicularly intersecting with a top panel, thetop panel having an inner portion located inward of the central wall andan outer portion located outward of the central wall, and a bottomflange extending inwardly from the central wall adjacent to the lowerflange of the sidewall; wherein the outer portion of the top panel andthe central wall form a downwardly opening pocket receiving the topflange of the sidewall; and the top flange of the central wall and theinner portion of the top panel form an inwardly opening pocket receivingthe roof panel.
 10. The sidewall-roof construction of claim 9 furthercomprising the connector having a a central panel inwardly extendingparallel to the inner portion of the top panel, and a downward flangeextending from the outermost part of outer portion of the top panel;wherein the central panel partially defines the inwardly opening pocket,and the downward flange partially defines the downwardly opening pocket.11. The sidewall-roof construction of claim 9 wherein the lower flangeof the sidewall inwardly extends the full length of the bottom flange ofthe connector.
 12. The sidewall-roof construction of claim 9 wherein thesidewall includes a horizontal top outwardly extending from the bottomof the vertically oriented portion; and the outermost portion of the toppanel is inward of the outermost portion of the horizontal top.
 13. Thesidewall-roof construction of claim 9 wherein the bottom flange of theconnector is secured to the lower flange of the sidewall via at leastone of a double-sided adhesive tape, caulk, epoxy resin, and a rivet.14. The sidewall-roof construction of claim 9 wherein the connector is aunitary piece of metal separate from the sidewall.
 15. The sidewall-roofconstruction of claim 9 further comprising the connector having a acentral panel inwardly extending parallel to the inner portion of thetop panel; wherein the roof panel is a composite panel with an uppermetal skin, a lower metal skin, and a non-metallic inner core; theoutermost portion of the upper metal skin is directly adjacent to theinner portion of the top panel; and the outermost portion of the lowerskin is directly adjacent to the central panel.
 16. The sidewall-roofconstruction of claim 15 wherein the inwardly opening pocket has a firstcorner with a nook at the intersection of the central wall and the innerportion of the top panel; and a portion of the upper metal skin of theroof panel is located within the nook.
 17. The sidewall-roofconstruction of claim 9 wherein the bottom flange inwardly extends afirst distance from the central wall; the outer portion of the top paneloutwardly extends a second distance from the central wall; the innerportion of the top panel inwardly extends a third distance from thecentral wall; the third distance is less than the second distance; andthe second distance is less than the first distance.
 18. Thesidewall-roof construction of claim 9 wherein the downwardly openingpocket has a first depth and a first width; the inwardly opening pockethas a second depth and a second width; the second depth is at leasttwice the first depth; and the first width is at least twice the secondwidth.
 19. The sidewall-roof construction of claim 9 further comprisinga bonding agent secured to both a bottom side of the inner portion ofthe top panel and an upper metal skin of the roof panel.
 20. Thesidewall-roof construction of claim 9 wherein the vertically orientedportion, the top flange, and the lower flange are formed as unitarymetal top rail of the sidewall.